Harey j



-Aug. '25, 1925. 1,551,325

H. J. OLEARY MUTE FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS Filed Oct. 18, 1923 I INVENTOR. JfJ oil/ear,

Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES HARRY J. OLEARY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

MUTE FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed October 18, 1923.

To all whom it may concern. I

Be it known that I, HARRY J. OLEARY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mutes for lVind Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to, mutes used in wind instruments such as cornets, trombones, trumpets and the like, and has for one of its objects to improve the construction, and provide a device whereby the tone may be subdued without impairing the quality or pitch of the instrument.

Another object of the invent-ion is to provide a device of this character constructed wholly or in part of metal which will respond with a clear tone throughout the entire register, true in all scales and of increased richness.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character light in weight, and not affected by heat, or the moisture, of the breath.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved instrument.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation from the larger end. 7

Fig. et is a detached view of the annular band at the smaller end of the instrument.

Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of one of the packing strips.

Fig. 6 is a detached side view of the small er nozzle tube.

The improved instrument comprises a one-piece tapered tubular body 10 gradually increasing in diameter from one end to the other and formed at a point between its transverse center and its smaller end with a plurality of lengthwise extending inset peripheral rectangular seats or sockets 11, and in each of which is arranged a combined rectangular retainer and spacer strip 12 of cork or the like. Each of the strips 12 is of a thickness to extend beyond the periphery of the body 10 and operative to center and frictionally secure the mute in the bell, of

Serial No. 669,343.

air tight by a cap 18 slightly cupped to engage over the adjacent wallof the body and preferably cemented thereto; The cap 13 is formed with a circular inset portion positioned within the larger end of the body 10.

At the smaller open end the body is encompassed by a tapered band 14 having an inturned tapered flange 15 seated throughout against the inner face of the body portion 10 at the smaller end thereof.

Mounted within the small open end of the body 10 is a tubular nozzle member 16 of the same diameter throughout and formed at its rear end with a laterally extending flat annular flange 17. The length of the member 16 is such that when mounted in the body portion 10, it terminates at a point between the transverse center of the latter and its smaller end. As shown, the member 16 terminates at a point rearwardly with respect to the inset seats or sockets 11. The outer periphery of the member 16, at the rear end thereof, is frictionally engaged by the flange 15, whereby said member 16 is secured in position within the body portion 10, as well as firmly supported in position centrally of the said body.

The taper of the body 10 will preferably be about one and thirteen sixteenth inches to the foot, but this may be varied as required. The body portion 10, in longitudinal section, between the seats or sockets 11, inclines from one end to the other end and extends in the same inclined 'plane throughout.

The body of the device will preferably be of sheet aluminum, as light as possible consistent with the strains to which it will be subjected While the cap 13 and band 14 may be of brass or other metal or metallic compounds as may be preferred.

If preferred the body and other parts may be of reinforced fibre or the like.

The band may be secured in place by rivets, headless screws, or other fastening means as may be found suitable.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings and set forth in the specification, but it will be understood that modifications within the scope of the claimed invention may be made in the construction without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described the what is claimed as new is A mute comprising a uniform tapered tubular body closed at its larger end and provided near its smaller end with a plurality of lengthwise extending, rectangular inset portions forming rectangular sockets, a rectangular combined retainer and spacer strip seated in each of said sockets, formed of compressible material of uniform thickness throughout and of a thickness to permanently project from its respective socket, a tapered band seated throughout against the outer periphery at the smaller end of said body and formed with an inturned invention 'tal'iercd flange seated throughout against the inner face of said body at said smaller end, and a tubular nozzle of the same diameter throughout extending into the smaller end. of said body and having the rear end of its outer face frictionally engaged by said flange for securing and centering the noz- Zle within said body, said nozzle of a length to terminateat a point removed from the transverse center of said body and having its 11 ar end formed with a laterally extending flat annular flange abutting against the point of joinder between the tapered flangeand band.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature hereto.

HARRY J. O AEI/XRXT. 

